Chapter 123
This energy was similar to what Sarubia felt when facing Princess Sordid. It was the unique aura that only the royalty of this country could emanate. The powerful magic owned by the royals, inherited through their noble blood.
Nervous, Sarubia unknowingly hid behind Rufus.
Chuckling, the man playfully revealed his face.
“Hello, cute lady.”
Upon fully seeing the man’s face, Sarubia involuntarily swallowed her breath.
“Pr-Prince Tarek!”
The person standing before Sarubia was Tarek, the third prince of the Kingdom of Hevania.
It was unmistakable. He was one of the subjects of the portraits Sarubia had tirelessly polished while working at the palace.
“Oh, loyal subject! You have recognized my glorious visage! Truly, you are to be commended!”
Prince Tarek burst into laughter, touching his chin.
Sarubia was flustered.
“Rufus, that’s not really the prince, right? It’s Sir Roroel, isn’t it?”
“Yes.”
“But why is Sir Roroel speaking like that?”
“Because he’s an idiot.”
Rufus frowned and approached the Prince Tarek who had appeared before him.
“Iruel.”
“How dare you! I am Prince Tarek!”
Iruel, overly immersed in his role as the prince, shouted back.
“Just shut up, Iruel.”
“It’s not Iruel! It’s Tarek! How can you not even remember the name of a prince of your own country? You are the one lowering the intellectual level of this kingdom!”
Iruel, transformed into Prince Tarek, spoke recklessly.
Rufus’s expression grew even more severe.
“Sir Roroel must have used too much magic. He’s gone weird.”
Sarubia murmured to Rufus with a disgusted expression.
“Weird? Sarubia, that’s too much.”
Iruel, reverting to his usual manner of speaking, looked sullen. Of course, since he looked like Prince Tarek, he didn’t seem too pitiable.
Sarubia scrutinized Iruel’s appearance with a suspicious eye.
“Is that… is that really you Sir Roroel?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
Iruel boasted proudly. Naturally, he did not look very bold since he was in the guise of Prince Tarek.
“How about that? It’s perfect, isn’t it?”
Iruel spun around on the spot, showing off his transformation.
Initially wary of Iruel, Sarubia cautiously approached him.
“Eek, don’t touch.”
Iruel stepped back slightly from Sarubia.
“W-Why not?”
“I have a sensitive body.”
“Oh, I’m sorry.”
Sarubia, distancing herself from Iruel, thoroughly examined the appearance of Iruel transformed into Prince Tarek.
“It’s exactly the same…”
The tall stature, fierce eyes, and sharp voice.
The man now before Sarubia was the spitting image of Prince Tarek. There was not a single difference.
“If we return to the palace like this, there will be no problems. Everyone will call me His Highness the Prince.”
“But… are you sure you can imitate all the usual speech and behaviors of Prince Tarek?”
“I can do it.”
Iruel confidently thumped a fist over his chest.
“Don’t worry, miss. I will perfectly deceive His Majesty the King and save Lord Rufus.”
Despite Iruel’s confident declaration, Sarubia was full of worries.
“That would be really great, but… you’ve never met Prince Tarek, have you, Sir Roroel? Will it really work?”
“Of course.”
Rufus spoke instead of Iruel.
What kind of behavior did Prince Tarek usually show?
Spending his days drinking and frolicking with women.
And how had Iruel lived?
“Just act as you usually do, Iruel.”
‘Just flirt with women as usual and enjoy your debauched life soaked in liquor.’
Recalling what Rufus had told him, Iruel smirked.
“Sure. I’ll show you just how great a scoundrel I can be.”
***
After parting from Iruel, Rufus and Sarubia returned to the tent.
They saw many soldiers carrying torches among the troops. These were the men who had belatedly realized that Rufus and Sarubia had disappeared and were about to search for them.
“Where have you been? We were worried not seeing you.”
Commanders and knights hurried over.
“We went to pray for the quick discovery of the prince.”
Sarubia skillfully recited the prepared lie.
Then a skeptical complaint returned.
“It would have been better if you had informed us in advance. Where did you go without our knowledge?”
‘Hmm.’
Sarubia looked up at the soldiers.
Just as Rufus had anticipated. The commanders and knights were looking at Rufus and Sarubia with suspicion.
Keeping her composure, Sarubia spoke coldly as Rufus had instructed.
“Why should I have to inform you of my whereabouts?”
“Yes, but?”
“I am a Saintess, blessed by God. Why should I need your permission to go somewhere quiet to pray?”
Stunned by Sarubia’s cold voice, the commanders and knights stiffened.
“Permission? That’s not what we meant. We were just concerned about your safety.”
“The safety of my person is guarded by Lord Rufus. It’s not your concern.”
“Saintess, but…”
“It seems you have not properly received the command from His Majesty the King.”
Rufus cut off the commanders and knights.
“It’s my duty to escort the Saintess. It is a command directly bestowed upon me by His Majesty. Do not presume to overstep.”
“…We apologize.”
Mentioning the king’s command, the commanders and knights finally bowed their heads and stepped back.
Rufus and Sarubia walked dignifiedly toward their tent.
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